Socio-Cultural

A new type of Hallyu Wave hitting the States?

Written by Youngji On December 12, 2011

There has been a lot of hype around Hallyu Wave, especially with a lot of Korean acts trying to cross-over in various ways, whether it be through an album release, concert tour and/or both. And while it’s very interesting to keep up with what SM, YG, JYP and other big entertainment companies are attempting to do, we cannot deny that the spread of the Hallyu Wave has been primarily one-sided.

Although there are those one or two foreign members in every group that try to represent some sort of international flare in K-pop, one cannot deny that these foreign members are just an extension of the Korean entertainment system. Yes, they may speak another language and they may have other appeals, but to make it, it appears that how well you assimilate to the Korean entertainment system and its shenanigans are crucial in determining the members’ success.

However, it appears that some are attempting mix in the international flavor within the Hallyu Wave by actually training non-Koreans to become a Korean pop star. The training system in Korea has been praised and criticized (depending on who you talk to), so I’m interested in seeing what kind of impact the Hallyu Training Service called “HITSNY” will make in the industry.

The premise is rather simple — Hallyu is gaining popularity and it’s influencing not only Korean American individuals who want to be stars but also non-Koreans, so why not enable those individuals by setting up a training system. I’ve heard some horror stories of various training academies in Korea — where the academies are just money schemes or they don’t teach you properly — but the folks behind HITSNY seem to care about the trainees they are about to bring on board. And one thing I wholeheartedly agree with them is that they emphasize education. Everybody going to the academy are required to be home schooled so that if this stardom track didn’t work out — they have other options.

The importance of education have been discussed many times on Seoulbeats as we have seen certain idols choose their careers over education and that’s a completely different choice from those who are training to become idol stars and not obtaining the proper education to excel in other areas, so I’m glad to see that education is encouraged and enforced.

It’s early to say what kind of influence HITSNY will have in the Hallyu landscape, but I’ll be keep my eye on it to access its impact. If THE TRAX’s support says anything about this organization, they may not be biggest but they are something to keep tabs on because you never know who will change the future of Hallyu Wave.

TAGS: TRAX

AKPFKim

The linkback to the HITSNY reference in the article is not working, FYI :)

Youngji

fixed! thanks

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1324493553 Sally Hu

It’s not working again.

eboy07

That HITSNY will garner some new attention. But not a big deal.
Things are going way too fast in the kpop bubble world. I mean kpop is still unknown in my country. Nobody knows who Super Junior are. Nobody knows that 2NE1 was chosen as best band. Nobody knows of the crazy fandom that exist. And for least pretty much in my country dont even know where to point South Korea. And whit all this things in hoping that the Hallyu wave will garner some new attention it will but more for people who already are aware of kpop.
Anonymous

Uhh the addition of foreigners to a kpop band, or foreign members in a kpop band defeats the purpose of Hallyu ( or at least the Hallyu colonization that is depicted in kmedia),
Anonymous

I think Kpop would only keep its allure if it stayed as homogenous as possible. Just as it’s special for groups like Silversun Pickup and Smashing Pumpkins to have key Asian members to a point that their identities are not exactly the focus, having too many foreign members in the Kpop mix will not be the same. I started appreciating Kpop because it gave me a new appreciation for Asian beauty, even though westernizing Asian features is all the rage these days.

As for HITSNY, it just sounds like a scam to me–I’m guessing a fee is required to be enrolled in such systems. As some would say, it doesn’t sound very organic. But maybe Kpop isn’t organic to begin with.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1324493553 Sally Hu

It’s just like any other academy with vocal/dance classes. There’s a tuition fee. Entertainment companies in South Korea don’t have fees because they have contracts that would allow the company to gain back the money spent on their trainees after they debut.

mashi

But first semester is for free. :)

Nugu

Having Western features has always been the rage in Asia. Where have you been?

Anonymous

In the States?

S Sallypark

Asia has for a long time been admiring and wanting the Western standards. I believe this dates back to when American soldiers first had bases in Korea. Westernizing Asian features is nothing new, but plastic surgery as rampant and as “normal” as it is now is quite new. Only a couple years ago plastic surgery was looked down on and considered something to hide in order to maintain a career. I can’t say whether I am critical of plastic surgery or not. I think it’s really a matter of personal choice, but the media glorifying it and whatnot. That is something I do have a problem with.

The academy sounds like SM Academy. It is clearly riding on the current popularity of the Hallyu wave. If it successfully helps a few people achieve their dreams of entering a Korean management company, then props to them. However, being successful in the industry is a totally different story.

mashi

So, if I may add my 2 cents to the comments below. There is more to HITSNY than just Kpop and Hallyu. I believe that Hallyu is a wave thanks to the fans outside of Korea. HITSNY has prepared a program for students to experience the lives they are always curious about. Again, which is why HITSNY has added in a home schooling program. For the students who are able to succeed in the entertainment industry, if they don’t make it to Korea, then there is a program that we have prepared for the students to at least collaborate with Kpop artists or be in the industry they wish to be a part of.
Also, there isn’t a fee so before you begin criticizing something to be a scam perhaps it would be wise for you to do your research.

Anonymous

Hey, I live in L.A. I will always be skeptical of any programs that sell dreams. Out of the myriads of groups we actually see debuting in Kpop, how many more never made it? Just saying.

mashi

Isn’t that why becoming an artist is what they call “one in a million”…? Again, we are not selling dreams, schools sell dreams as do products and millions of other things in this world. You bring up an interesting point, but again, we are here to make opportunities and allow people to experience something they have dreamed about. Also, for the people that never did make it, if you talk to those on the other side of the story, there are a majority that never go through with the whole program or gave up in the middle. We all have a different perspective and point of view. All I can say is, you don’t have to support us, but if you do want to criticize, it would help to do your research on what we are really about, or just ask. Thanks

Anonymous

Do you work for the company or what?

Bervalvic

Non-Koreans meaning preferably other Asians I assume. I’d really like to see a non Asian in a kpop group to be honest. By the video, I’m not going to say its a scam because Trax supports it but at first it did seem that way because it looked like a great way to fool US fans. As for this new wave thing, I’m not really buying it.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HOQ4TUKVEVM2ZK5HVZZKEGUD7Q Shannon

it’s funny to me how the audition was open to any and everyone but as far as i can see on the FB page, website, and videos all the students that were accepted were white and asian :-/ *sigh* ahh well